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Bariatric pal has a lot of chips you can purchase, they have bbq, ranch, salt & vinegar, pizza crunch. They are a little like rice cakes but better for you.

I've been battling my weight since I was 6 years old. I've been big for as far back as I can remember. I did just about every diet there was and not a single one worked. Eventually I just gave up. I had looked briefly into WLS in my 20's but I didn't think I'd be able to change my eating habits so drastically. I didn't think I had that kind of willpower. Plus, potential complications scared me and the permanence scared me. So I stopped looking into it. When I was 21 in May of 2009 my eldest niece was born. I was still in pretty good health despite being over 300 pounds. So I didn't really have the determination to go through with WLS. However, when her sister was born in February 2019 my health was very bad. I was 389 pounds, I have two permanent back injuries (one caused by my osteoarthritis), high blood pressure, tachycardia, hypothyroidism, the aforementioned osteoarthritis, I was pre-diabetic, have EoE (an autoimmune disorder), and I'd had brain surgery in May 2017 for my trigeminal neuralgia. When I held my new niece I was hit with the realization that if something didn't change, if I didn't find a way to get myself healthier and lose weight, then I likely wouldn't be around to watch her grow up. I cried, because watching my eldest niece grow up has been my greatest joy. It broke my heart that I may not be around to watch her sister grow up. That made things more real for me, I suppose. It pushed me into making that change and taking it seriously. I was referred to a bariatric surgeon and had to do a 6 months of monitored weigh-in's per my insurance. I didn't actually have to LOSE weight. I was just told not to GAIN weight. But, I took the initiative to try and make myself as successful as possible by using that time to prepare myself for a new way of eating. I used the first month to cut out seconds and cut my portion sizes down. The second month I cut out soda. The third month I cut out rice. The fourth month I cut out pasta. The fifth month I cut out bread. The six month I cut out potatoes and beans. The last two months before my surgery (they were overscheduled and pushed me back) I just maintained that diet and on my surgery date I was 321 pounds, meaning I'd lost 68 pounds on my own. I'm still very proud of myself for that. For me, the final push was my family. My family is my strength. They are what pulled me through the absolute worst time in my life (August 2016-May2017 when I had a 10 month TN flare that led to my brain surgery) when I KNOW I would have given up without them. Since my weight loss surgery? I have a new niece (from my brother and his wife) and my first and only nephew (from my sister and her husband). Now that I've lost over 200 pounds I don't worry so much that I won't be there to watch them grow up. And when I see my 2 year old niece light up when she see's me I know I made the right choice, the best choice, to have this surgery because now I get to watch her and her brother grow up just like I've got to watch her 12 year old sister grow up and just as I'll get to see her cousins grow up. Everyone has a different reason for why they do this. Sometimes it's for family, like myself. And sometimes it's personal. Every person who goes through this has a different journey, different experiences, and a different story to tell. And I wish you the very best on your own journey.

So I am only at Day 10 and don't start puree until next week but my dietician gave me a list of bariatric approved canned soups and I was going to throw them in the blender. That way you get protein and veggies etc and pureed.

Hi! I'm revised Bypass to Bypass. I would only recommend a revision if your surgeon is 100% knowledgeable about bariatrics. As I understand it there are some unique challenges to a revision surgery - but maybe that is more in my case since I had a Bypass already. When they do a sleeve, do they distallize any of the connection to your intestines? In any case, if you do have the revision - weight loss appears (8 weeks out) to go much slower than before, but steady. I feel better this time around - and as you say, I'm treating it like a do-over as I'm older and wiser now - and much better able to keep up with the costs of vitamins and proteins. And - there are a million bypass friendly things on the market now - so many more shake choices - high protein snacks and things. I suspect the hernia can be repaired at the same time if your insurance will approve the bypass - that's the trickier part. Good Luck!

Sleeve & PCOS diets compliment each other really easily. PCOS diets usually recommend consuming lots of lean meats & seafood, fibre rich vegetables (leafy greens & cruciferous), legumes, berries all of which are also usually on recommended food plans post sleeve. Foods to avoid for both are processed carbs, (bread, rice, pasta, etc.), sugary foods & drinks, high fat foods, processed meats. Are your medical team for recommendations to a dietician who has experience with bariatric patients. Most of us are advised to see a dietician pre surgery & whose services you can access as needed post surgery.

check out "The World According to Eggface" blog. She had weight loss surgery several years ago and loves cooking (she's also very active in the bariatric community - including on the board of the Obesity Action Committee). She's got recipes for all stages on here: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Well dang I don’t remember signing on to become a lifelong bariatric surgery counselor when I got surgery. I’m a private person and I don’t discuss my medical issues with people I’m not very close with. There’s a huge difference between me just living my life and not sharing my personal medical information and someone positioning themselves as a weight loss expert/influencer and not disclosing it. I’ve had some comments on how great my skin looks at my age as well, and for some people I offer a thanks, and for others I offer information on my Botox provider. It’s almost like I’m an adult who doesn’t owe every human I meet my life story. Do you think I should put a sign on my door that outlines my various surgeries and medical procedures on the off chance it influences someone? Oh maybe I should also list any marital/child rearing difficulties I’ve ever had and information on my bowel habits too. Or do I maybe have the right to decide who I share what information with? Let people live their lives and worry about yourself and your own decisions.

there's some malabsorption involved with bypass (not so with sleeve), so you have to take vitamins for life to avoid deficiencies (you will also have to take vitamins for life with sleeve, but the consequences aren't as severe if you're not diligent with them). But the malabsorption is also part of the reason people tend to lose more weight with bypass, because you malabsorb calories along with nutrients. However, malabsorption of calories with bypass only lasts about two years. Malabsorption of nutrients is permanent, so you really have to be diligent about keeping on top of your supplements. Dehydration isn't an issue with bypass. You have to drink at least 64 oz of fluids a day with either surgery, but I've never read about any dehydration issues with bypass (I've been on this and other bariatric forms for about six or seven years - that issue has never come up that I'm aware of) as far as why I chose bypass: 1) my surgeon recommended it because I had GERD pre-surgery (sleeve can make GERD worse in about 30% of people. Bypass tends to improve if not outright cure it) 2) I went along with his recommendation because I didn't want to risk my GERD getting worse 3). I weighed over 300 lbs, so I wanted the most powerful surgery I could get (if my insurance covered the DS (duodenal switch), I might have gone for that instead. But it only covered sleeve and bypass) 4) At the time I had my RNY, the sleeve was still relatively new. It was in the process of replacing the lap band as the major non-RNY weight loss surgery option. The lap band turned out to be a not-so-great surgery (to the point where most surgeons refuse to do it now), and I didn't want to risk the sleeve becoming "Lap Band 2". However, that was a few years ago. The sleeve has been around long enough at this point that it's proven itself, so I would no longer have this particular concern if I had to make the decision today. HOWEVER, due to my GERD issues, I would still choose the bypass if I was facing that decision now. If not for that, I'm not sure which one I would go with. They're both good surgeries, and you'll find a lot of success stories with both.

Ghost Protein Powder. Has anyone heard of it? Not sure if it's new or not but recently I've seen some videos from other bariatric patients who were able to get their hands on some. They all swear it tastes so good. They have all sorts of flavors too such as............. Nutter Butter Chips Ahoy Peanut Butter Cereal Milk Pancake Batter Banana Pancake Batter Chocolate Cereal Milk Blue Raspberry Sonic Cherry Limeade Original Greens Sour Patch Kids Redberry Warheads Sour Watermelon Welch's Grape Blueberry Acai That's all I've seen thus far. I looked on Amazon and they are trying to rob people for like $70 a canister. But GNC online has it for like $40. They also have a website and a FB page but I haven't really checked them out yet. I'm really interested in that Chips Ahoy and Nutter Butter ones. LOL They sound amazing which is why I was wondering if anyone has been able to try them yet. https://www.ghostlifestyle.com/?fbclid=IwAR3h-Vj1UozGt1TbKN5hFRSsMeHZqtZRKNwU9QtqXjGH6tKaV9APjOhWJKE

Have you tried the cooking the chicken breast various ways? I ask because my nutritionist said many of her bariatric patients come to her with that same complaint but when she asks them if they tried cooking if in different ways they tell her no. She then sends them home to try cooking it different ways and she claims that like 90% of them are then successful eating it. She said lots of times it just depends on how it's cooked, how dry it is because of the way it's cooked, seasonings etc. So, who knows. Haven't been there yet myself to test it out but you may want to try cooking it in other ways if you haven't already.

I wish I could have done my nutrition classes once a week instead of once a month - I would have paid more for that! Mine are group classes and they are so unhelpful. They don't focus on bariatric eating at all, just like "did you know french fries are unhealthy?" On the other hand, I've been able to lost 31 lbs since I started working towards the surgery in January, and I'm really starting to get used to the eating habits I'll need long term, so I am telling myself it's worth it. Anyway, surgeries were stopped until April at the center I'm using due to COVID.

I don’t tell everyone I have had surgery. I’m not lying to anyone. I’m just not telling them. It’s no one’s business but mine. I have told people that I know who have had the surgery. But in all honesty, lost almost 20 pounds in 2 months before the surgery just following the bariatric nutrition protocol my doctor prescribed to me. So if I can lose weight just doing that then others can too. I had the surgery because I needed my body to hold me accountable. The surgery is a necessary tool to keep me focused on NOT eating too much and to keep me from binge eating junk food. My sleeve is keeping me on track and focused. Not telling everybody because it is nobody’s business.

Bariatric advantage also makes calcium citrate chews that are food. My nutritionist had samples of some flavors. I ordered one that I didn’t sample and didn’t like it so I called and of course I had to mail it back but they refunded it no question.

Greeting 🙂 I am new to this forum and have alot of questions I suppose as many of you probably did when you were just starting out. I am morbidly obese (I hate that description even tho its true) it just sounds awful and degrading. Anyway, I have had a weight problem for years. I just never addressed it I guess, well now is the time to do that. My questions Id like to pose is: how many people who have had the gastric sleeve have experienced long term complications from it and how long has it been post op? And what were they? Did the benefits far outweigh the complications in your opinion? If you had it to do all over again would you elect to have the sleeve or would you have picked gastric bypass instead? Being a gastric sleeve patient what would you say to me knowing that I am 52 yrs old and have a BMI of 58. What sort of things would you suggest or tell me about gastric sleeve surgery? (tid bit of information about me. I have no known illnesses or problems outside of obesity. I am borderline high blood pressure but not on any medication. I am borderline type 2 diabetes no medications but have blood sugars between 130-155 usually) Your thoughts, answers to questions, and opinions would be much appreciated because I have not scheduled to see anyone yet about bariatric surgery but I am hoping to soon.

I read all of those horror stories as well, but keep in mind that those kinds of things don't happen very often. The majority of us sail through just fine with no issues. I think most of us probably had the same thoughts at one time or another - all the "what ifs" and the fears of having some horrible complication. I finally had to stop myself from reading about them. It's good to know that it's a possibility - but you also have to put it in perspective. It's pretty uncommon. I figured I was at a much greater risk being 200 lbs overweight than I was having the surgery. Having some major complication from bariatric surgery could certainly happen, but the risk is pretty small. On the other hand, having a heart attack, developing diabetes, or dying 20 years prematurely was a pretty decent-sized risk (if not a sure thing) if I stayed super morbidly obese. but of course - you know all this. You said so in your post. Just wanted you to know that yes - I had those thoughts as well. I bet most of us did.

I had 6 plus months of prep before my surgery so I had a long time to ponder the what if’s! Honestly, it came down to the fact that I felt like I no longer had control of my ability to lose weight and I had to take this step, and it’s a very scary one at that. My biggest suggestions are to research your surgeon and facilities, and also prepare yourself as much as possible with the education aspects outside of what the Bariatric program gives you. In a nurse by trade so I know many of the medical components and complications of surgery in general, but I needed to research more on bariatrics. The risks with VSG are very low. If you have major health issues obviously the % will rise for complications. I am 100% happy that I went through with my surgery although I am only 6 weeks out and did not have any major complications.

if you feel strongly about it, then by all means be open about it. Not all of us feel that way. I'm not open about my medical issues in general, not just the stigma-laden ones like bariatric surgery or plastic surgery. It's no one's business but mine.

Hi All, I have been on a weight loss journey for a while and finally decided that I want to go the bariatric surgery route. Right now I’m thinking more about the vertical sleeve as the pros and cons are better than the gastric bypass. I’ve been told by my Doctor he doesn’t do the gastric banding as the cons far outweigh anything else and it has a bigger chance of failing or just not working properly. He will do it if I push for it but has said the number around the world is very small due to the complications I have been told to consider the Bypass or the sleeve. For those that have done either one do you regret not doing the other? I have had all my tests done - cardiologist, gastrointestinal, ultrasounds, dietitian and psychologist with another appointment with my surgeon and the psychologist and dietitian in 10days again before the paperwork gets sent to my insurance company for approval. I want to go into the surgeon with an open mind but a decision on which surgery I want to do. I’m planning on doing the surgery in July when school is out (I’ve just got a temporary job for 2months) Those that have done surgery is there anything you recommend I should do before surgery? Is there anything you wished you had done before surgery? is recovery really difficult? I’ve not told 99% of my friends or family, my husband and a close friend then a friend I know that has been through bariatric surgery. I just feel that some people can be judgemental or just mean so I’m choosing to say nothing. thank you all for your help and support K

I just googled "BCBS of TN bariatric surgery" and found this. This is pretty typical - most companies require some kind of medical complication from the first surgery before they'll cover the second one. But I'd check with them regardless. Procedures That MIGHT BE Covered The following procedures MIGHT BE covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee: Revision Surgery (either Lap-Band Revision or Gastric Bypass Revision) is possible with EITHER of the following conditions met: Physician documented medical complication Physician documented surgical complication

Thank you for the encouragement! I am getting all of my hospital requirements done - just need the psych eval and Bariatric class and I will be good to go for the revision.

https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/products/bariatric-advantage-calcium-citrate-chewy-bites-500mg-variety-packs

I'm 48 hours out from surgery today, with tomorrow a travel day. As everyone has noted, I'm excited and a wee bit nervous, though not much. I'm just ready. I've done some serious work this past few weeks, both with the pre-op diet and with getting my mind ready. I've been journaling and reading The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery which was recommended by a friend. It's pretty common sense, and covers a lot, mental, emotional and physical. I'm also listening to the guided visualizations and affirmations Kaiser Permanente has on their website for people undergoing surgery. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/podcasts/conditions-diseases/surgery I'm grateful for all your stories and messages as they remind me I am not alone on this journey and while we all have individual experiences, we're fortunate that these procedures are much safer and more effective than they've ever been. To to those just starting on the pre-op diet, it is SO worth it to follow the plan. Keep busy, and if you are hungry, drink an extra protein shake or some broth. You don't need to starve yourself. Drink as much water as you possible can so you go into surgery well hydrated. Cheers to your health!

Hi All! I've used MyFitnessPal since 2012 and I really like it but I've noticed a lot of people who have bariatric surgery like Baritastic. Can someone tell me a little about Baritastic and what it might be better for, why I might want to consider it? Pros/cons? Or, if you've tried it and use MyFitnessPal instead, why you don't use Baritastic? Thanks!

No matter what, you must take your vitamins daily and for the rest of your life. Whether its a daily patch, pill, chewable...You are putting your health at great risk by skipping out. Organs will stop functioning properly or even cease functioning period. Permanent irreversible damage even Death can occur. It's important to have all of your levels checked regularly. And to take bariatric approved vitamins and not Flintstones or childrens gummies or lower dosage than recommended. I use Celebrate brand bariatric Vitamins. They are excellent and they even have an assistance program that's income based for those that need it....and will send them their vitamins every 3 months at no charge. My team requires their RNY patients to take 2 Multivitamins, 2 calcium citrate, D3, iron, folate, B12, B1 (thiamine) and Biotin. I take everything except Biotin they took me off of it. My labs have all been great with the exception of recently when I ran out of B1 and picked up a bottle of B complex for women. While in the hospital for ongoing abdominal pain my thiamine level came back low. Even though I was taking something that seemed to be adequate, it was not. I was given i.v. thiamine and when i was discharged I ordered my B1 and went back to my regular brand. So please take everything recommended by your team unless they tell you differently. You owe it to yourself to be the best possible and healthiest version of you. Get one of those XL pill weekly dividers. They have them for vitamins. And you can dose out your vitamins weekly. If you work outside the home, get a single use one to carry in your bag for your midday vitamin time. You have to take certain vitamins apart from one another and hours apart. Set up the Baritastic app reminders to remind you when to take your supplements or even the alarm on your phone.

Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. HW 264 SW 235 CW 195 GW 130 Height 5’5” BMI 32.6 I was sleeved 2/24/21 and am down 40 lbs since surgery and 69 lbs overall. I recently made it to Onederland and am down 3 sizes- gave all my pre-surgery clothes to a friend! Finding this is very doable and sticking with program. Using Baritastic app to track macros/ meet protein and fluid goals. I am attending support group hosted by my surgeon’s practice and belong to a couple other online bariatric social groups/ recipe groups. I am so happy I did this and looking forward to meeting my goal weight sometime. I eat between 650-900 calories per day ( not per surgeon- just the info from my tracking app) and exercise daily. I worry I am too high in calories but I feel good and the weight continues to come off- 5 lbs this week. Looking to start weight lifting to add muscle and help with sagging skin. I would love to hear how you are all doing.